Foot-holder for bicycle-pedals



(No Model.)

L. L. HAWORTH.' FOT HOLDER POR BICYLE PEDALS. Y

No. 558,068. Patented Apr. 14,1898.

fnv/enfer .L .Haworth NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LYSANDER L. HAWORTH, OF CHICAGO LAWN, ILLINOIS.

FOOT-HOLDER FOR BICYCLE-PEDALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters `fl'atent No. 558,068, dated April14, 1896.

Application filed August 12, 1895. Serial No. 559,001. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, LYsANDER L. HAwoRrH, of Chicago Lawn, in the countyof Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements inV Foot-Holders for Bicycle-Pedals, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention is designed to provide means for holding the feet ofbicycle-riders in contact with the pedals with sufficient iirmness toprevent accidental displacement and to permit a limited amount of lift,While at the same time providing for detachment in an emergency andavoiding a tendency 'to catch trash-a condition that is present undersome circumstances in toe-clipsas commonly constructed.

The invention is exemplified in the structure hereinafter1 described,and is defined in the appended claims.

In putting the invention into practical use two conditions aremet-namely, pedals already made and pedals to be made hereafter. Thefirst condition requires something in the nature of an attachment, whilein the other case the ideas of the invention, all or part, may beincluded in the general structure of the pedal. In the sulojoineddescription both conditions are considered and modifications ofconstruction are suggested.

In the drawings forming part of this speci fication, Figure I isaperspective representation of a bicycle supplied with a foot-holderthat includes the fundamental features of my invention, and Fig. 2 isamodiiication showing how the general principle of the invention may beembodied in a pedal in process of manufacture.

One end plate of a pedal-frame is shown at l and the opposite one at 2.

At 3 is shown the axial sleeve of the pedal 4..

4. represen ts the tread-bars of the pedal, and 5 5 designate projectingends of the axial rods of the tread-bars. In Fig. l the end plates ofthe pedal are supplied with the customary lips that extend beyond thetread-bars andform guards to prevent lateral displacement of .thefootThis provision is general in bicycles already built, and it is relatedto my improvement as follows: A cruciform loop 6 is made, preferably ofWire, with its base portion andv its head portion conforming to the lipsof the side plates of the pedal-frame and the arm portions adapted to itaround the outward extensions of the pivot-rods of the treadbars. Bands9 and l0, of elastic material, are fitted, one around the head portionof the loop and a lip of the plate and the other around the base portionand another lip. To

the opposite side plate is similarly connected a similar loop 7, oneonly of the elastic connecting-bands being shown at Il. An elasticconnection extends across the pedal from one loop to the other, and suchconnection is preferably a flat continuous band, having a halfturnbetween its connections, as shown at 8 in Fig. l, which half-turnfacilitates the insertion of the toe of the rider into the space betweenthe band and the tread-bars.

In use the toe of the shoe of the rider is inserted between the band andthe tread-bars, which operation stretches the band more or less, and thefoot is held in contact with the bars to an extent depending on theelasticity of the band, which may be varied to suit differentrequirements, and is always suflicient to prevent the foot from slippingfrom the pedal under ordinary circumstances and to permit a slight liftof the pedal as the foot is rising. Ordinarily the foot is withdrawnfrom the pedal in the same manner that it is ap plied, the direction ofmotion being reversed; but in case of a mishap of any kind the foot maybe disengaged by a moderately strong pull in any direction. If theopposite side of the pedal should be used and the holder be pointeddownward in consequence of such use, there is no forwardly-projectinghook to catch the trash, as is the case with toe-clips as ordinarilyconstructed.

In Fig. 2 the lips 6b and 7b of the side plates are shown sufficientlyelongated to act as substitutes for the loops, and an elastic strap 8,which may be of any desired construction, is connected with slotsformedin the ends of the elongated lips. This form is adapted to be embodiedin pedals yet to be made, and it exemplifies the invention considered inits broadest sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. A foot-holder for a bicycle-pedal, comprising loopson the side plates of the pedalframe, and an elastic connection betweenthe tread-bars, elastic bands securing' the loops loops, substantiallyas set forth. to the lips of the side plates of the pedal- 2. Afoot-holder for a bicycle-pedal, comframe, and an elastic connectionbetween the prising loops connected with the lips of the loops,substantially as set forth. 5 side plates of the pedal-frame by means ofIn testimony whereof Isign my name in the 15 elastic bands, and anelastic connection bepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

tween the loops7 substantially as set forth. LYSANDER L. HAVORTII.

3. A foot-holder for a bicycle-pedal, com- Attest: prising cruciforlnloops adapted to lit around D. A. STRADER,

1o the projecting ends of the pivot-rods of the NV. L. DAVIS.

